Electrical and Electronics Commons^™

Voltage-Related Power Quality Issues And Impacts On Distribution Networks With Sensitive Loads - A Review, Godwin Elinazi Mnkeni, Jackson Justo, Aviti Thadei Mushi, Bakari M. M. Mwinyiwiwa

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Voltage disturbances are the most important power quality (PQ) complications that customers and power utilities face in this smart era. The growing adoption of sophisticated electronic equipment and integration of renewable energy sources (RES) into power grids has increased the susceptibility of power distribution networks (PDNs) to voltage sags, swells, interruptions, flicker, and voltage imbalance. These disturbances, mainly caused by upstream faults, switching operations, and RES integration, compromise voltage PQ and system reliability. Consequently, they accelerate equipment degradation, increase electronic waste (e-waste), raise reactive power demand and maintenance costs, increase power losses, and impose substantial economic losses on customers and …

Analysis And Design Of Multi-Winding Current Ballasted Magnetics For Integrated Dc-Dc Conversion, Kishalay Datta

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Power conversion circuits have become a bottleneck in terms of reducing the size and cost of modern electronic systems in a vast number of applications ranging from personal devices, to automotive systems, to data centers. This has motivated designs at higher frequencies where smaller passive components can be used. Unfortunately, magnetic components scale poorly to smaller dimensions. In addition, the AC resistance of magnetic components deteriorates due to current crowding effects at high frequencies. This has resulted in fully- integrated power converters with planar magnetic components having efficiencies lower than what may be theoretically achieved. In this work, we investigate …

Disturbance-Learning Inertia Estimation Using Artificial Neural Networks For Power System Stability, Sospeter Igaanja Gabriel, Francis Mwasilu, Peter Makolo Dr.

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

ABSTRACT

Power systems are progressively shifting towards low inertia as a result of incorporating significant amounts of intermittent and converter-based renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, into the current power grid network. This integration poses considerable problems to inertia and frequency control within the network due to a reduction in the proportion of synchronous generators. Furthermore, rapid frequency deviations occur due to the disparity between supply and demand during contingencies, complicating the maintenance of frequency stability within the power system. The disturbance-learning inertia estimation method for power system stability is presented. The simulation analysis is performed using …

Hybrid Transformer-Bilstm Model For Early Fault Detection And Multiclass Classification Of Wind Turbine Faults Using Scada Data, Hassan Y. Mkindu

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Early and accurate fault detection in wind turbines is essential for improving operational reliability, reducing maintenance costs, and minimizing unplanned downtime. This study proposes a Hybrid Transformer-BiLSTM deep learning model for early fault detection and multiclass fault classification using Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) data. The proposed architecture combines the Transformer's self-attention mechanism to capture global temporal dependencies with the Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (BiLSTM) network's ability to model sequential fault evolution, enabling effective learning of multivariate time-series data. The model was developed and evaluated using the recently introduced CARE SCADA dataset, classifying five operating states: No Fault, Transformer …

Design Of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor For Railways Traction Application, Anna S. Mwang'onda, Jackson J. Justo, Francis Mwasilu

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

This paper presents the design of surface mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor (SMPMSM) intended for traction applications in standard gauge railway (SGR) for passengers. The proposed motor is rated 350 kW with a base speed of 3000 rpm. Moreover, speed control strategy with stability analysis is incorporated in the design to validate the performance of the SPMSM. The simulation results achieved a torque of approximately 1115 Nm at a terminal voltage of 800 V. The flux linkage of 150 mVs which ensures effective electromagnetic pertinence while maintaining safe magnetic loading because the flux density is less than 1.5 T. The …

Flexible Power Point Tracking For Active Frequency Regulation In Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Power Plants, Castor K. Haule, Sophia D. Kigodi, Emmanuel S. Matee, Francis Mwasilu

Tanzania Journal of Science

The increasing penetration of photovoltaic (PV) systems into modern power grids necessitates advanced control strategies capable of supporting grid stability. Traditional PV systems rely on Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) to maximize energy extraction, limiting their ability to participate in grid-support functions such as frequency regulation or power curtailment. This paper presents a flexible power point tracking (FPPT) control strategy that enables PV systems to operate at arbitrary points along the power–voltage (P–V) curve. A multi-mode power management scheme is proposed, integrating conventional Perturb and Observe (P&O) MPPT with FPPT, allowing the system to switch dynamically between energy maximization and …

Dc/Dc Converter For A Solar Module, Francine Therese A. Canal, Jesus Cruz, Juan Jose Gonzalez

Electrical Engineering

This project presents the design and implementation of a DC/DC power converter intended for photovoltaic (PV) modules with varying electrical output characteristics. Solar panels experience significant changes in output voltage and power due to variations in sunlight, temperature, and load conditions. To ensure reliable operation across a range of conditions, the proposed converter is capable of both step-up and step-down operation to accommodate solar modules with power ratings from 50 W to 450 W and open-circuit voltages between 10 V and 80 V. The system operates at load currents up to 10 A and provide a user-adjustable output voltage within …

Dc/Dc Converter For A Solar Module, Stella Uribe, Richie Zaragoza, Olivia Grace Tran, Phillip Tyler Rich

Electrical Engineering

This project focuses on the design and validation of a general-purpose DC/DC power converter intended for use with photovoltaic (PV) solar modules operating under variable environmental and loading conditions. Solar panels exhibit significant variation in output voltage, current, and available power due to changes in irradiance, temperature, and operating point, making direct connection to downstream loads impractical. The proposed system addresses this challenge by providing a single, user-adjustable regulated DC output capable of both stepping up and stepping down the solar module voltage. The converter is designed to interface with solar modules rated between 50 W and 400 W, with …

Stationary Bike Power/Efficiency Monitor, Paula J. Diaz, Pilar M. Cook, Danielle Rhind

Electrical Engineering

This project developed a real-time power and efficiency monitoring system for a SportsArt ECO-POWR stationary exercise bicycle. The goal was to measure rider mechanical power and electrical power delivered to the utility grid simultaneously, allowing the overall bike-to-grid efficiency to be calculated and displayed in real time. Rider power was measured using Garmin Rally ANT+ power pedals, while grid power was measured using a Yokogawa WT310E power analyzer. A Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ synchronized both data sources, calculated efficiency, displayed live performance metrics through a graphical user interface, and logged measurement data to CSV files for later analysis. The …

Hybrid Solar - Coal Thermal Energy System For Industrial Process Heat At Sayona Drinks Limited In Tanzania, Santos Kihwele, Elisha D. Bitesigirwe

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Over the past two decades, global efforts to mitigate pollution from conventional energy sources have intensified, with coal remaining a major contributor to carbon emissions. While fossil fuels cannot be eliminated from thermal generation in manufacturing industries, particularly in middle‑income countries such as Tanzania, they continue to dominate as the primary energy source. Industries including food and beverage, paper, textile, paints, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals require substantial thermal energy for heating and drying, and typically rely on coal and natural gas.This study introduces a unique application of a parabolic trough solar thermal system with integrated thermal energy storage, specifically tailored to …

Optimal Design And Techno-Economic And Environmental Analysis Of A Hybrid Solar Pv-Battery-Generator System For Off-Grid Telecom Towers And Rural Households: Case Of Misughaa Village In Tanzania, Ibrahim Mwammenywa, Martha Mwaikenda

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Telecommunication services are pivotal for the socio-economic development of communities, regions, and countries. Extensive and reliable telecom infrastructure enables populations to leverage development opportunities and bridge the urban-rural divide. However, extending these services to rural areas often necessitates the deployment of telecommunication towers in locations lacking national grid access. Consequently, service providers typically rely on diesel generators (DG) for power, which introduces significant challenges. These challenges include a high operational expenditure (OPEX), rendering telecom services unaffordable for rural communities, and substantial environmental pollution from greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study aims to present an optimal design, encompassing sizing and economic …

Voltage Profile Enhancement In Iliceto Shield Wire Scheme For Rural Electrification: Case Study Of Chalinze-Mbwewe Transmission Line In Tanzania, Ebeneza Chaula, Ibrahim Mwammenywa, Santos Kihwele

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Rural electrification faces challenges due to significant voltage drops over long transmission distances, affecting reliability and power quality. While the Iliceto Shield Wire Scheme (ISWS) offers a modern cost-effective solution, voltage stability remains a challenge. This study analyses voltage profile enhancement within ISWS, focusing on the Chalinze-Mbwewe section of the 132 kV transmission line, using LTSpice simulations. Due to LTSpice limitations, direct solar PV integration was mimicked by introducing a secondary voltage source at each load centre, producing 33 kV to match the original source voltage. This approach maintained improved voltage profile from Msoga Village to Mbwewe over 80.9 Kilometers. …

Load Flow And Fault Performance Evaluation Of Interconnected Minigrids In Uganda Using Digsilent Powerfactory, Prossy Mutesi, Santos Kihwele, Emmanuel Matee

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

The increasing demand for decentralized, reliable electricity in rural Sub-Saharan Africa has catalyzed the deployment of minigrids as an intermediate electrification strategy. This study investigates two solar photovoltaic (PV) mini-grids: Kyamugarura and Kanyegaramire, located in western Uganda, approximately 3km apart. Each mini grid initially consisted of 13 kW installed photovoltaic (PV) capacity, supplying power to households and small businesses. Due to rising demand and regular evening blackouts, both mini-grids are being upgraded to 57 kWp each. The integration of these upgraded systems into the national utility grid is proposed and simulated to evaluate performance improvements under two medium-voltage interconnection options: …

Portable Food Pasteurization Using Pulsed Electric Fields (Pef), Thomas E. Mcmillan Iii

Electrical Engineering

Foodborne illnesses remain a significant public health concern, motivating continued development of alternative food pasteurization technologies. Pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment is a non-thermal pasteurization method that inactivates microorganisms through electroporation while minimizing thermal degradation of food products. The long-term objective of this project was development of a portable PEF food pasteurization system.

An iterative design approach was used to investigate generation of the high-voltage pulses required for PEF treatment. Multiple pulse forming network topologies were evaluated through simulation, leading to selection of a solid-state Marx generator architecture. A low-voltage five-stage prototype was designed, constructed, and tested to validate the …

Lora Networking Hardware Reference Designs For Terrestrial And Low-Earth-Orbit Communications, Kevin Nottberg

Master's Theses

The work presented here demonstrates a highly robust and tested LoRa networking hardware reference design to meet the needs of the embedded networking company OWL Integrations. The hardware presented integrated a unique combination of features and design choices. The detailing of its unique design is potentially of use to others for use in fielded battery powered terrestrial sensor networking hardware utilizing LoRa. Also, the terrestrial hardware presented is shown to have the capability to support command and control (C2) LoRa links in low-earth orbit beyond terrestrial systems. The design presented has a more U.S. centric component bill-of-materials (BOM), with the …

Autonomous Rover Solar And Battery Management System: Team B, Karla Jazmin Lira Gonzalez, Paige Ambriz, Kunj Shah, Elhom Delasa Sheykhi

Electrical Engineering

This project focused on the software and printed circuit board (PCB) integration for Poly1Rover’s battery management system (BMS). Poly1Rover is a student organization dedicated to building a low-cost autonomous rover designed to operate on Mars. Since solar availability, temperature, and other conditions on Mars vary, the rover requires a reliable battery management system that accurately monitors battery health and status. This team’s work included the communication and control side of the BMS. The subsystem was designed around the Renesas ISL94202 battery monitor and the MSP430 controller. Battery information was read from the ISL94202 registers through I2C communication, converted from raw …

Development Of A Multi-Mode Switching-Inverter Laboratory Module For An Introductory Power Electronics Course, Darcy Eliasi

Master's Theses

DC–AC converters, or inverters, are essential power‑electronic interfaces widely used in photovoltaic systems, microgrids, energy‑storage installations, and numerous other modern electrical applications. This thesis presents the design, construction, and testing of an improved laboratory module developed as a student learning tool for demonstrating four fundamental inverter switching techniques: simple square wave (SSWI), modified square wave (MSWI), bipolar PWM, and unipolar PWM. Building upon the previous module, the improved design centers on three key enhancements. These include the selection of a more suitable wave‑generation solution, a multiplexer‑based mode‑selection architecture that reduces user complexity and eliminates conflicting signal configurations, and the integration …

Woodward Cuk Converter, Aditi Venkatesh, Jennifer Pereira

Honors Capstones

The purpose of this senior design project is to design and build a Cuk converter, a type of buck–boost converter. The project involves developing an analytical model and validating it through hardware testing. Cuk converters are important because they are widely used in everyday electronics, particularly in renewable energy systems such as solar power, power supplies, and electric vehicles. Their ability to increase, decrease, and reverse the polarity of voltage makes them flexible. The continuous input and output currents result in low ripple, reducing component stress and improving efficiency. To achieve these goals, simulations will be conducted using LTspice to …

Neural-Network-Based Modeling Of Grid-Forming Inverters, Jacob D. Levesque

All Theses

Renewable energy production has grown significantly in recent years and continues to expand, resulting in an increasing number of inverter-based resources (IBRs) in the grid. As the number of IBRs in the grid continues to grow, grid-forming (GFM) inverters are becoming increasingly popular due to their ability to regulate voltage and frequency, providing increased grid stability and enabling islanding. As GFM inverters become more widely used in power systems, accurate and efficient models of their behavior are needed for system design purposes.

Emerging advances in neural networks have led to research on computationally efficient neural-network-based (NN-based) modeling approaches for inverters. …

Control And Stability Analysis Of Three-Phase Grid-Connected Inverters In Renewable Energy Systems, Yasser Ayeva

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

The increase in demand for renewable energy sources such as solar and wind systems has led to widespread use and integration of a three-phase grid connected inverters in electric modern electric power systems. The inverters are essential to convert DC power into AC power and to control the delivered power to the grid. However, the use of the inverters in a renewable energy system has some challenges related to stability and control due to the presence of power electronic interfaces and filter dynamics. This paper analyzes the control and stability of three phase grid connected inverter through an LCL filter. …

Enhanced Cuckoo Search-Based Optimization For Single Distributed Generation Placement And Sizing In Radial Distribution Systems, Samson Oladayo Ayanlade, Abdulrasaq Jimoh, Richard Oladayo Olarewaju, Ignatius Kema Okakwu, Israel O. Adejumobi, Joseph B. Samson, Oluwadare A. Adebisi, Oluwadare O. Akinrogunde

Al-Bahir

This paper presents an Enhanced Cuckoo Search Algorithm (ECSA) to optimally place and size Distributed Generation (DG) in radial distribution systems to minimize real power loss within operating constraints. The proposed ECSA has exponentially decaying adaptive Lévy flights, constraint-aware solution repair with dynamic penalty coefficients, and diversity-directed stochastic replacement to enhance search robustness and convergence speed. It was tested with 30 independent runs on the IEEE 33-bus, IEEE 69-bus, and a practical Nigerian 32-bus distribution network. The simulations show that the ECSA lowers the active power loss of the IEEE 33-bus system from 201.58 kW to 102.75 kW (49.03%), and …

Reducing Range Anxiety Through Predictive Modeling Of Ev Battery Degradation, Caleb Thornsbury, Christian Castro, Bivin Sadler

SMU Data Science Review

Electric Vehicles (EV) range anxiety remains one of the top barriers for broader adoption. Range anxiety can be attributed to battery pack age and degradation over time. This paper plans to explore how to address this issue by creating a machine learning model that can predict degradation based on usage, temperature, battery chemistry, charging habits and exploring whether other factors tie into range degradation. This research will be using real world charging data along with lab tested chemistry data to build a model that can be chemistry specific for degradation. This paper will help perspective used-EV buyers learn about battery …

Sustainabake, Kevin Kunta Swanson Ii

Electrical Engineering

This senior project outlines the development of an oven that utilizes renewable energy to operate safely and effectively. It aims to test building an oven using mostly basic hardware students acquired during their time at Cal Poly and provide a starting point for those interested in creating a solar-powered oven. As our society continues to innovate and increasingly relies on electricity, it is important to place more emphasis on how we can make our lives sustainable to take care of our environment without introducing excessive pollutants. Food preparation is a daily activity that typically involves significant energy consumption, making this …

Multi-Objective Optimization Strategy For Component Sizing In Solar-Hydrogen Microgrids Using An Advanced Hybrid Genetic Algorithm, Dylan Jones

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis presents the development of a genetic algorithm (GA) optimization framework for the design and component sizing of hybrid solar-hydrogen microgrids. The framework addresses a critical gap in research and existing commercial tools by unifying performance maximization and cost minimization objectives across both grid-tied and islanded configurations. Integrating solar photovoltaics, electrolyzers, hydrogen storage, fuel cells, and batteries, the GA employs adaptive weighting and dynamic boundary constraints to balance technical feasibility with economic efficiency. To ensure real-world viability, the algorithm relies on a novel Daylight Sun Factor (DSF) for localized solar assessment and was rigorously validated against multi-year, high-fidelity irradiance …

Aquaflow Pro, Ashton Henley, Jeannie Fritz, Khalin Rubbo

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Changing aquarium water is a hassle, and when done incorrectly, it will result in changes in water quality and potential harm to aquatic life. Aquarium water changes are crucial in removing toxins such as ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates. There is a need for an automated, stressless fish tank water-changing solution that ensures aquatic safety. To this end, an automatic temperature-controlled fish tank water changing system was designed, carrying out a water change for a designated main tank in which water heated within an inbound reservoir is pumped into the tank to replace the outbound water, responding to both the tank’s …

Brrbox, Shawn J. Myers, Lane Cline, Michael Davis, Christian Secrest

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This report details the project known as “The BRRBOX”, a reusable, insulated thermoelectric cooler developed to keep internal temperatures at refrigeration levels or cooler for at least 48 hours. The cooler will track its internal temperature during this period and be able to give the data at the end of its delivery cycle to keep up with food and pharmaceutical standards during delivery. The BRRBOX uses Peltier-based cooling alongside vacuum insulation panels and fans to achieve efficient thermal control. An onboard microcontroller will monitor temperature, record the data, and adjust the cooling output to minimize power consumption. The box will …

Design, Optimization, And Techno-Economic Analysis Of A Standalone Pv-Wind-Battery Microgrid For A Remote Load In Kurdistan Region Of Iraq, Harwan Mohammed Taha, Laith Akram Mohammed

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Standalone microgrids play a crucial role in rural areas where grid electricity delivery is difficult and expensive. This research verifies the effectiveness of a standalone microgrid in a rugged area, Pers Mountain in Akre district, Duhok governorate, Iraqi Kurdistan. A first hybrid renewable energy system (HRES)-based standalone microgrid is presented to supply a remote load. Solar and wind energy are employed for their reliability, sustainability, and abundance, with battery storage ensuring continuous power when solar and wind are unavailable. Simulation results demonstrate reliable power supply during summer months (loss of power supply probability < 5%), with the system operating across three modes — PV-dominant daytime, combined wind-battery evening, and battery-discharge nighttime. The inverter achieved minimum total harmonic distortion of 1.53% for both current and voltage outputs, below the IEEE 519 limit. A full-year hourly particle swarm optimization (PSO) sizing analysis assessed annual reliability and each source's economic contribution: the original fixed sizing yields an annual loss of power supply probability (LPSP) of 26.80% (expected energy not served ~1,471 kWh/year), motivating a PSO-optimized PV-battery configuration achieving annual LPSP of 5% (~274 kWh/year unserved) at comparable cost. The site's wind resource is reasonable (13.8% capacity factor), but the fixed tower and controller cost outweighs its contribution at this small scale. The proposed HRES totals $11,960–$16,317 depending on configuration, approximately 28–38 times lower than grid extension ($455,600) to the site, while producing zero CO₂ emissions and avoiding approximately 4,189 kg/year versus an equivalent HOMER Pro-simulated diesel generator.

A Solar Pv System For Industrial Application- A Case Study Of A Cement Industry In Tanzania, Santos Kihwele

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

This study presents an implementation of the largest behind-the-meter solar photovoltaic (PV) system for a cement industry in Tanzania. The project aims to supply energy for the industry’s own use, without any energy injection into the utility grid, for the purposes of cutting energy-related expenditure and reducing reliance on the utility grid. The project also aims to contribute to the efforts towards the application of renewable and alternative energy sources as a means to reducing carbon footprints, towards achieving the net-zero CO₂ emission goal. A comprehensive site assessment was conducted, analyzing factors such as location, land availability, climate data, …

Development Of An Iot-Based Energy Theft Detection System For A Single-Phase Smart Meter, Ojo Julius Oladele, Funso Kehinde Ariyo, Samson Oladayo Ayanlade, Ayooluwa Peter Adeagbo, Ismail Adeniyi Adeleke

Al-Bahir

Electricity theft causes annual global losses exceeding $96 billion, severely impacting distribution networks. This paper presents a novel IoT-based system integrating current differential sensing, physical tamper detection, and edge-cloud analytics to detect energy theft in single-phase smart meters. The design employs three ACS712 current sensors to monitor Kirchhoff-compliant current flow at the grid pole, meter input, and load output, coupled with a PIR sensor for cabinet intrusion. A SIM800L GSM module enables real-time theft alerts and remote disconnection, while closed-loop control autonomously restores power after tamper resolution — a feature absent in prior GSM-only systems. An Android application provides geotagged …

Analysing The Impact Of Bi-Directional Application Of Iliceto Shield Wire Scheme For Rural Electrification In Tanzania: A Chalinze-Hale Transmission Line Case Study, Santos Kihwele, Prisca Paul

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Clean energy accessibility including electricity remains a major challenge in Tanzanian villages despite the many efforts made by its government.  The primary obstacle is that these villages are located more than 100 kilometres away from high-voltage to medium-voltage (HV/MV) transformer stations. Therefore, electrifying these villages by conventional method is financially not feasible. One of the low-cost rural electrification techniques that can be used to solve the issue is the "Iliceto Shield Wire Scheme" (ISWS) technology, In Tanzania, the application of ISWS technology seems to be very promising.  However, the technology can be integrated with locally available renewable energy sources ( …